Top and foldable end frame assembly for pallet container

Abstract

A top and end frame assembly (10) attachable to a pallet (12) for packing, shipping, and storing heavy articles, with a pair of stringers (20) made with open-sided U-shaped channels and connected together by transverse members (22, 24). Two pairs of opposing corner posts (50) each formed of an open-sided U-shaped channel pivotally attach at respective opposing distal ends of the stringers (20). Each corner post (50) moves between a folded position with the corner posts received in the respective stringer for shipping in a knocked-down position and an extended position for attaching to a pallet for a frame container. Two pairs of opposing side diagonal members (36) pivotally attach to a respective one of the stringers and move between a received position within the stringer and a diagonal position for pinning at an opposing end to a respective one of the corner posts. The corner posts being pivoted to the extended position attach at distal ends to the pallet (12) for containing heavy equipment.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates to frame containers for packing, shipping and storing heavy equipment. More particularly, the present invention relates to top and end frames that connect to pallets for frame containers for packaging, storing, and shipping heavy durable equipment.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Heavy durable goods, such as riding lawn mowers, outboard motors, and the like, are typically packaged in single unit containers for packaging, storage, and shipping. Containers useful for enclosing heavy durable goods include wood cleated corrugated paperboard containers, wood cleated crates, and metal frame crates. These containers provide top load capacity, by which vertical loading on the container transfers by side members to the base pallet that holds the heavy durable good. Corrugated paperboard containers also provide protection for the contents from dust and incidental contact. Cleated crates, whether of metal or of wood, are generally open, and so...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, most wood components, such as the pallet and top frame typically are discarded in landfills.

The container costs, however, must be kept relatively low.

Manufacturers generally view container packaging as a necessary item, but as not providing a recognized value to the consumer.

Further, increased environmental concerns are limiting the use of landfills for disposal of these types of articles.

While these types of returnable container have met with some acceptance, there are drawbacks to their use.

Returnable containers generally are more expensive than single use containers.

In addition, there are also costs associated with return shipping of the returnable containers, inventory control for tracking and accounting for the containers and the components, and the labor for inspection for damage and for refurbishment of the returnable containers.

These associated costs can become significant, and often exceed the cost of a single use container.

The corrugated paperboard in the corrugated containers are recyclable as noted above, but this restricts the containers to inside storage.

Alternative materials such as plastic tends to be excessively expensive for single use container applications.

Further, the wood in such corrugated paperboard containers is not a recyclable material.

On the other hand, returnable containers made with steel framing members are storable outside under any weather conditions, yet are significantly more expensive in container cost and associated costs.

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